1947 Gilgit rebellion

1947 Gilgit rebellion
(Operation Datta Khel)
Part of the Kashmir conflict and Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-1948

Gilgit Scouts raising the Pakistani flag during Operation Datta Khel[4][5]
DateAugust 1947 – 16 November 1947[5]
Location
Gilgit, Jammu and Kashmir
Result

Rebellion victory[6][7]

  • Hari Singh loses control over Gilgit and surrounding areas[2]
  • Pro-Pakistan Government is setup in Gilgit and surrounding regions[8]
Territorial
changes
  • Gilgit Baltistan declares independence from Jammu and Kashmir
  • Gilgit accedes to Pakistan
    • Belligerents

    Gilgit Scouts
    Princely State of Hunza[1]
    Princely State of Nagar[1]

    Supported by:
    Pakistan Pakistan[2]

    Jammu and Kashmir State Forces[3]

    • 6th Jammu and Kashmir Infantry
      • Sikh Company
      • Muslim Company
    Commanders and leaders
    William Brown
    (Gilgit Scouts Commander)
    Mirza Hassan Khan
    (Rebel Commander)    		 Hari Singh
    (Maharaja/Ruler)
    Colonel Majid Khan Surrendered[3]
    (Commander of Muslim Company)
    Ghansara Singh  Surrendered[9][10]
    (Governor of the Gilgit Agency)

    In November 1947, the paramilitary force of Gilgit Scouts stationed at Gilgit rebelled against the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, soon after it acceded to the Indian Union. Under the command of a British officer Major William Brown, they executed a coup d'etat, overthrew the governor Ghansara Singh, and imprisoned him. The Muslim troops of Jammu and Kashmir State Forces stationed at Bunji joined in the rebellion, under the command of Captain Mirza Hassan Khan, imprisoned their own commander Colonel Abdul Majid and eliminated the non-Muslim troops. A provisional government was declared under a local chief Shah Rais Khan, which lasted for about two weeks. On 16 November, a Pakistani political agent Khan Mohammad Alam Khan arrived and took over the administration.[11]

    1. ^ a b Brown 2014, Chapter 4 : The Coup D’état (October to November 1947).
    2. ^ a b Singh 1990, pp. 239–240.
    3. ^ a b Singh 1990, p. 239.
    4. ^ Andrabi, Raafey (2020-12-07). "The past, present and future of Gilgit-Baltistan". The Express Tribune. Archived from the original on 2024-04-13. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
    5. ^ a b Brown 2014, Appendix I.
    6. ^ Brown 2014, Chapter 5: The End Game (November 1947 to January 1948).
    7. ^ Ahmad, Sajjad (2020-11-01). "HISTORY: THE GILGIT-BALTISTAN CONUNDRUM". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 2024-01-04. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
    8. ^ Brown 2014, Appendix I  : Singh 1990, p. 240
    9. ^ Tikoo, Tej (2013). 1947–48 Indo-Pak War: Fall of Gilgit and Siege and Fall of Skardu. " With practically nothing or no one available to defend his position Brig Ghansara Singh surrendered and was immediately put under arrest"
    10. ^ THE GILGIT BALTISTAN CONUNDRUM https://www.dawn.com/news/1587950
    11. ^ Bangash, Three Forgotten Accesions (2010).